Software readings

The readings from the Experiencing Music Technology has such a wealth of information! The descriptions of all the software could be a great resource to pass on to the administration and technology person at your school. Many times, there is a great misunderstanding about what we do in the music room, let alone why we need to request software and computers. This information will show administrators that we teach a viable part of the curriculum that is more than playing, dancing and singing.

I especially like the idea of game-based software for elementary school. These games might make those indoor recess times pass a bit more quickly. These also offer a benefit for home-schoolers. MiDisaurus incorporates a child’s spoken voice with animation making it even more enjoyable for young folks.

Time Sketch Editor Pro is the software that helps create a listening map. Students can map a piece of music of their own choice. Projects that used to be completed on poster board, then on PageMaker can now be done with the help of bubble charts to highlight specific parts of the composition. Band, orchestra and choir directors can create listening maps for pieces for discussion during rehearsals.

Jump ahead to Practica Musica. The Advanced Placement module gives students assistance in their preparation for that test. Higher AP scores make the school and the district advance on the state’s grade card.

The beginning skills examples are ones that younger students could enjoy. The storytelling and simple questions would reinforce comprehension skills crossing over to reading support. The capability to reveal the interdisciplinary potential is great. Classroom teachers, the reading specialist, the math specialist all could be valuable companions in convincing administration of the benefits of software purchases.

From the photos in this article, it appears that this information is a bit dated. I wonder about the availability of these exact software packages now. New, better software may have replaced some of these titles.

The SmartBoard is a wonderful way to keep students attention in one place and make their experiences new and exciting. My personal concern with the SmartBoard is again, one of being forced to be own biggest advocate. The music room is often seen as a place that does not need any of the educational tools that the general classroom enjoys. As music educators, we must constantly work to educate and inform parents, administration and other teachers in the building of the benefits of what the student learn while in our classrooms. A music supervisor or department head can campaign on our behalf, but we must be able to utilize the equipment and software and show that our students are advancing because of it.